Human Growth Hormone: Fountain of Youth or The Same Old Hype?
A Brief Guide to Hgh Enhancement Supplements Current Rage in Anti-Aging, Longevity, Building
Lean Body Mass, and Rejuvenating Sexual Potency.
By Dr Maher, ABAAHP, www.rxforwellness.com

What if you had a natural and safe discovery with clinically proven results in the battle
against aging?What if you could reverse aging? Looking, feeling, and performing 10, even 20
years younger?

Indeed, a 10- year study just completed in June 1998 for the National Institute of Aging state
the results with human growth hormone, also known as Hgh, "are too good to be true!"

What is Hgh?

Nestled in the center of our heads there sits a rather tiny but very powerful gland called the
pituitary gland. Hgh is one of 7 hormones secreted by the pituitary. Growth hormone, like
thyroid hormone, has an effect on almost all our tissues and organs. As the name implies, it
enhances the growth of various organs and tissues, especially muscle and bone. Basically, human
growth hormone increases protein synthesis. Proteins are the major building block out of which
our body is made. Normal secretion of Hgh occurs in a daily cycle, like a tide. It varies with
exercise, sleep, stress and nutrition.

Why Does Hgh Enhancement Help?

As we hit middle age, there is a natural decline in hormone production, not only of Hgh, but
estrogen, progesterone, DHEA, androstenedione, and testosterone. With advancing age, an
increase in the incidence of osteoporosis, heart disease, diabetes, mood and memory disorders,
loss of libido, , etc. occurs. Also, central obesity increases and muscles shrink. Scientific
studies are demonstrating a causal relationship between the decline in hormone levels and an
increased incidence of the aforementioned conditions. The exciting development is that by
replacing these hormones, these developments can actually be reversed. Hormone replacement for
estrogen, thyroid and now progesterone are commonplace. Is Hgh next?

What's the Downside?

Hgh was only used for children with certain growth disorders until the mid 1980's. It was
extremely expensive, as the only source was human cadavers! Then recombinant DNA technology
made it possible to engineer bacteria to produce Hgh. Still it cost about $200 to $300 per week
to buy such recombinant Hgh! Plus, you need frequent blood tests, costing $100 plus each time
to monitor the proper dosage. And you have to give yourself shots twice a day, though these are
more inconvenient than painful.

There is some debate as to whether Hgh shots might stimulate cancer. Proponents counter that
Hgh actually builds the immune system, therefore likely helping to prevent cancer. The informed
consensus opinion at this time seems to be that those with cancer should not take Hgh as it
might stimulate cancer growth too!

Another concern is that Hgh shots, as with any hormone replacement therapy regularly taken,
tend to inhibit our own natural production. So, if you stop, you could really "crash", having
become dependent on an outside source of Hgh.

Natural Human Growth Hormone Enhancements: the Hgh Secretagogues.
Fortunately, for anti-aging enthusiasts, there are a variety of natural oral Hgh enhancers that
are much less expensive. Because they support, not replace, pituitary gland function, they
don't "shut down" your own natural production. These are called "secretagogues" because they
coax or support your own glands to secrete their own hormones, not replace them.

Which Secretagogues Are Best?

As the oral Hgh enhancers (secretagogues) hit the market, caveat emptor!(buyer beware!) Most
marketers will quote study results from Hgh injections and then claim them for their product!

Here are 4 important questions to ask:

Has the Hgh product been independently lab tested, proving it raises IGF-1 by 50% or more on
average? (IGF-1 stands for insulin like growth factor and is the accepted way to measure Hgh
response to oral supplements and injections.) Were the studies conducted by a M.D. with expert
credential in anti-aging?

Has the Hgh anti-aging product been utilized by scores of
doctors for several years to insure safety and effectiveness?
Are there testimonials not only from lay persons, but from M.D.'s from major universities with
credentials in anti-aging medicine.

Does the Hgh enhancing product cost more than $2 per day? (It shouldn't!)

My general opinion is to avoid legumes or bean based
secretagogues as they may increase estrogen. Oral recombinant Hgh sprays and drops are very effective, but too expensive, and too
new to know about safety. Plus you don't support your own production with oral recombinant
Hgh, rather you are replacing it. Generally, combinations of amino acids like glutamine,
arginine, orthinine ,lysine, flush free niacin and herbs are best. Pick products that have been used
safely for at least several years, proven to increase IGF-1 levels by 50% or more, have
endorsements from well credentialed authorities, and cost less that $60/month.

Do I Need To See A Doctor First?

My personal opinion is that anyone serious about anti-aging should have a professional
anti-aging health coach. Unfortunately, medical anti-aging clinics with Hgh injections cost
about $20,000 per year, cash! Doctors like myself who try to make available more modest
longevity programs to fit to the middle class budget are rare indeed. Generally however, the
more over 40 you look, feel, and perform, the more likely you could probably benefit from high
quality, proven safe and effective Hgh secretagogues as described herein. But be careful. You
don't have too much of an entrepreneur to figure out that "youth in bottle" is a marketer's
dream. Buyer beware!

How You Can I Enhance Your Hgh Levels Naturally?

As you may recall , Hgh levels are affected by stress, rest patterns, nutrition and exercise.

Stressful lifestyles tend to focus the body on producing stress hormones like cortisol and ACTH.

. Too much stress hormone actually breakdowns muscle tissue, inhibits repair, and interferes
with sleep. If a long, vital, and happy life is on your busy agenda, then make fun, rest, play,
and quiet times a priority!

Hgh levels are strongly effected by our nutritional status. In the infirm elderly Hgh levels
have doubled from admittedly very low levels by supplementing with 20 grams of protein from
whey. Correcting suboptimal zinc status in otherwise apparently healthy subjects increased Hgh
levels by 20%. As human growth hormone's effect is to stimulate growth, it will maximize your
results if you supply yourself with the necessary protein and mineral building blocks through a
nutrient dense diet. A high quality multi- vitamin/mineral, rich in anti-oxidants, is also to
your health's advantage.

Exercise stimulates Hgh by reducing stress and promoting restful sleep. However, weight lifting
and to a lesser extent running wind sprints, directly enhances Hgh levels. Heavy weight
lifting, like dead lifts, squats, and bench presses are the best. Performing 5 to 8 reps, 3
sets, at maximum effort is best. Unless very experienced, be sure to get guidance from a
trainer at your gym or home.